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Netflix Sets Live-Action Umbrella Academy Series For 2018 Debut

Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba's graphic novel series Umbrella Academy is being adapted into a TV series for Netflix slated for 2018. Though a previous report stated the series was being considered for development by Netflix, it is now confirmed that the streaming service has given the upcoming show a 10-episode straight-to-series order with Steve Blackman (Fargo, Altered Carbon) serving as showrunner and executive producer alongside Bluegrass Television, Mike Richardson and Keith Goldberg from Dark Horse Entertainment. Way will co-executive produce with the pilot script adapted from the comic book series by Jeremy Slater, known for his work on FOX's The Exorcist.

The live-action series will follow the estranged members of a dysfunctional family of superheroes including The Monocle, Spaceboy, The Kraken, The Rumor, The Séance, Number Five, The Horror and The White Violin, who will all work together to solve their father's mysterious death while, simultaneously, coming apart due to their different personalities and abilities. The series was originally published by Dark Horse Comics and received praise from fans and critics alike for its twisted take on the superhero genre.

In a press release, Way, Cindy Holland, vice president of originals at Netflix, and Jeff Wachtel, chief content officer at NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment and UCP president, talked about the upcoming series and why they decided to adapt Umbrella Academy for Netflix. For Way, he was thrilled when his novel found its home on the streaming service:

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“I am thrilled that The Umbrella Academy has found a home at Netflix. I couldn’t think of a better place for the vision Gabriel Bá and myself had when creating the comic, and cannot wait for people to experience that world as a live action show."

While Netflix is no stranger to the superhero genre - it has a whole catalogue of Marvel series like Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and the upcoming The Punisher and The Defenders- this series takes a different approach to superheroes with its unique and stylized approach to these unusual superheros. Here is what Holland had to say about why they decided to adapt the series to TV:

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“What drew us to The Umbrella Academy is that it’s wholly unique, visual and stylized. These aren’t the usual superheroes, and this series will embrace the singular tone of the graphic novels -- dark yet humorous, supernatural yet grounded in reality. We’re excited to see this world and introduce these unforgettable heroes to Netflix members around the globe.”

Wachtel also shared his excitement for the upcoming "passion project." He said, “It’s a thrill to be producing this wonderful show for Netflix. It’s been a passion project for the UCP development crew and we can’t wait to bring it to life.”

With Netflix currently being filled to the brim with Marvel's TV series, it's going to be a breath of fresh air seeing a different approach to the superhero genre that's wholly unique like Umbrella Academy.